Postpartum Depression: Treatment, Symptoms and Causes
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common experience for many new parents (affecting up to 15% of new mothers), and it is important to recognize symptoms early on so that you can focus on caring for and bonding with your baby after it is born.
Many people feel ashamed to admit they are not experiencing raw unfiltered joy after their child’s birth—but we want to reassure you that experiencing PPD is a natural reaction. It can happen to any new parent, and we encourage you to seek support if you feel like you may be living with postpartum depression. It is important to note that PPD can also often occur after a miscarriage or stillbirth.
In this post we’ll cover:
Signs and symptoms of PPD
Causes and risk factors
Postpartum anxiety and psychosis
Treatment options
How we can help
But first, let’s define…
What Is Postpartum Depression (PPD)?
If someone experiences significant symptoms of depression in the period immediately following childbirth, they are said to have postpartum depression.
PPD is different from “baby blues”, which often include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues usually begin within the first 2 to 3 days after delivery and can last for up to two weeks. The difference is that with PPD, these symptoms persist for longer than a couple of weeks and are more intense.
Common postpartum depression symptoms can include:
Depressed mood or intense mood swings
Excessive crying
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Withdrawing from family and friends
Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
Inability to sleep, or sleeping too much
Overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy
Less interest and pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable
Intense irritability and anger
Fear of not being a good mother
Hopelessness
Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
Reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
Restlessness
Severe anxiety and panic attacks
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
If left untreated, postpartum depression can last for many months or longer. We recommend reaching out to a healthcare professional if you feel like you are experiencing persistent symptoms.
If you’re in crisis, call the 9-8-8 suicide line, the BC Mental Health Support Line at 310-6789 (no area code needed), or go to your nearest emergency room.
Impact of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression makes it difficult for someone to function properly—performing daily tasks, caring for the baby and bonding with it may seem impossible when living with PPD. The inability to complete simple tasks or feel joy from time spent with one’s child can create a sense of guilt or inadequacy that can send people spiraling.
The baby is often impacted by their parent’s PPD: early exposure to mood swings, anger and irritability can affect their emotional development in the long term.
In some cases, even the parent who wasn’t pregnant can experience postpartum depression. They might feel sad, tired, overwhelmed, anxious, or change their usual eating and sleeping patterns. These are the same symptoms that mothers with postpartum depression experience, and can negatively impact the family in similar ways.
That is why it is important to seek professional help when depressive symptoms persist postpartum. PPD can break families apart and create a volatile environment for the baby in their formative years, causing long-term damage that may be felt for years.
Causes and Risk Factors
PPD can be brought on by various causes, and some people may be more at risk depending on certain factors.
The hormonal shifts experienced after pregnancy (sudden drops in estrogen and progesterone levels), emotional stress, genetic predispositions and a lack of a supportive environment can cause symptoms of PPD to arise. If you or your family members have a history of difficult pregnancies, postpartum depression or other mental health conditions—such as bipolar disorder, or depression—this puts you at a higher risk of experiencing PPD yourself.
Teenage mothers have a particularly high risk of postpartum depression, especially if they come from families lacking economic stability.
Research has also shown that mothers belonging to minority and marginalized communities have higher rates of PPD. In Canada, an additional risk factor that can contribute to PPD in Indigenous mothers is experiencing historical trauma and discrimination. Immigrant mothers in Canada also have additional risk factors to consider such as language barriers, lack of social and financial support, and being in Canada for less than 2 years. Therefore, it is vital to have specialized programs in place to treat the individual needs of each patient and carefully consider the specific circumstances by which they might be afflicted.
Postpartum Anxiety and Psychosis
Postpartum anxiety has a lot of overlapping symptoms with postpartum depression, like poor sleep, trouble relaxing, and irritability. Although people with PPD report experiencing symptoms of anxiety, not all those who suffer from anxiety are depressed. It is important to distinguish the two, as treatment methods differ, and people with postpartum anxiety may not benefit from the same treatments as postpartum depression.
In around one in 1000 births, a rare condition called postpartum psychosis (PPP) can occur. It is a severe—but reversible—mental health condition that affects people after they give birth. While uncommon, it is also dangerous and requires rapid professional intervention. Symptoms include paranoia and hallucinations, which put the baby and the mother at risk. If someone experiences PPP, it is likely to occur again if the mother has another child.
If you think you may be living with postpartum psychosis—or you know someone who is—we urge you to call 911 or your local emergency assistance number to get help.
Treating And Seeking Help For Postpartum Depression
As mentioned earlier, postpartum depression can last for months or even years if left untreated—but rest assured, it is treatable. Therapy, medication and support groups are ways of accessing professional help that can help alleviate PPD’s symptoms to let you return to normal life and enjoy the experience of bonding with your child.
The first step is to recognize that you’re living with a number of the symptoms associated with PPD for extended periods, and to reach out to a healthcare professional for support—the earlier you do this, the better chance you have of recovering.
How Tall Tree Can Help With Postpartum Depression
Tall Tree’s team of counsellors and mental health specialists can support you while you navigate the challenges that come with postpartum depression.
Our experts will listen to your experience and tailor a treatment plan that addresses your unique needs to help you build resilience and improve your mental health. We will work with you to find resources and methods that work best for you, and continuously adapt to match your evolving needs.
If you feel like you may be experiencing postpartum depression and need professional support, book a session with one of our registered clinical counsellors at our Vancouver location today.
Tall Tree’s Counselling is available in nature, online, or in-person.
-
https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/postpartum-depression-a-to-z
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617
https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/postpartum-depression-a-to-z
https://link.springer.com/article/10.17269/s41997-019-00182-8
https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/postpartum-depression-a-to-z
